1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
"Execution of Justice" takes place in a court room, where Dan White is being accused of murdering both Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone . The people within this beginning stasis of the play are Dan White, the judge, Norman, Schmidt, and the jurors.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion of the play occurs when Dan White's confession of killing both Milk and Moscone is played. It is within this confession that White moves the jurors with his frequent crying and admits that he did kill Milk and Moscone out of emotional distress from his mental issues. It is the tape that makes the Jury sympathizes with White so it is here that White begins to have a chance of avoiding the death penalty.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
Within the courtroom, sitting on the jury were a group of mostly Irish Catholics who ultimately judge on if Dan White murdered Milk and Moscone. This group of jury is the unique factor due to them being the deciding factor of what Dan White's punishment was going to be. They were the ones who could execute the justice needing to be served for that court case.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
What punishment will Dan White receive for killing Milk and Moscone?
Why did White kill Milk and Moscone?
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
These lawyers have been given some tough obstacles to overcome. The first being that they both most overcome each other. These lawyers are getting paid to rise above the other within the courtroom. Although they are only doing it for their paycheck, both seem like they are determined to convince the jury to side with their side of the case. Which is why the second obstacle they must overcome is that of the jury. Both Schmidt and Norman must show the jury why Dan White should or should not receive the death penalty. Both must present the evidence to the jury in a way that will determine what punishment White deserves to receive.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.
The most theatrical moment within the play is when the verdict of the jury is announced. Once announced it makes both the courtroom and the actual audience start to question if that is the right punishment for the Dan White. Some would side and say it was not harsh enough while others would agree with the jury.
"Execution of Justice" takes place in a court room, where Dan White is being accused of murdering both Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone . The people within this beginning stasis of the play are Dan White, the judge, Norman, Schmidt, and the jurors.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion of the play occurs when Dan White's confession of killing both Milk and Moscone is played. It is within this confession that White moves the jurors with his frequent crying and admits that he did kill Milk and Moscone out of emotional distress from his mental issues. It is the tape that makes the Jury sympathizes with White so it is here that White begins to have a chance of avoiding the death penalty.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
Within the courtroom, sitting on the jury were a group of mostly Irish Catholics who ultimately judge on if Dan White murdered Milk and Moscone. This group of jury is the unique factor due to them being the deciding factor of what Dan White's punishment was going to be. They were the ones who could execute the justice needing to be served for that court case.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
What punishment will Dan White receive for killing Milk and Moscone?
Why did White kill Milk and Moscone?
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
These lawyers have been given some tough obstacles to overcome. The first being that they both most overcome each other. These lawyers are getting paid to rise above the other within the courtroom. Although they are only doing it for their paycheck, both seem like they are determined to convince the jury to side with their side of the case. Which is why the second obstacle they must overcome is that of the jury. Both Schmidt and Norman must show the jury why Dan White should or should not receive the death penalty. Both must present the evidence to the jury in a way that will determine what punishment White deserves to receive.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.
The most theatrical moment within the play is when the verdict of the jury is announced. Once announced it makes both the courtroom and the actual audience start to question if that is the right punishment for the Dan White. Some would side and say it was not harsh enough while others would agree with the jury.